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Health authorities have sprung into action following a suspected cholera outbreak in Chipata District of Eastern Province.
The outbreak, reported at Namuseche Urban Health Center on May 29, 2023, had sparked concern, with samples confirming the presence of fecal bacteria.
Town Clerk Aaron Kamalondo, in a statement issued in Chipata, highlighted that as at June 3, 2024, at least 21 cases had been recorded.
“Of these cases, 12 have been linked to meals consumed at the town center’s bustling Saturday Market,” he stated.
Kamalondo revealed that out of the 19 cases reported the previous day, five patients have been discharged, while the remaining 14 are still admitted.
In response to the outbreak, officials have taken decisive action by closing the Saturday Market for the next three days to conduct extensive disinfection procedures and address water and sanitation issues.
Furthermore, laboratory tests of water samples from the market’s restaurants have revealed alarming results, with nine out of eleven samples testing positive for fecal coliforms, believed to be a significant factor in the spread of the disease.
The closure of the market affected nearly 300 traders who rely on it for their livelihoods, highlighting the urgent need for a lasting solution.
“The lasting solution is to build a modern market to improve sanitation and health standards,” Kamalondo said.
He disclosed that plans were underway to develop a new, modern market facility to ensure better hygiene and prevent future outbreaks.
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